Today starts out bright and early, the alarm went off at 7:30. I hit the snooze button 3 times and finally got up at 7:45. I was tired, but thankfully am sleeping better. Only woke up at 4 am for about 25 minutes and then fell back asleep. I am absolutely exhausted right now so I am sure I will sleep well tonight.
We hurried out the door at 9:15 for the Vatican. We had tickets to the papal audience and along with 50,000 other people we saw the POPE! The place was jam packed with people but we saw the Pope drive by in a little golf cart thing with his red hat on (I am sure there is an official name for it, but not being Catholic I dont know). He then went up to a center and spoke for about 15 minutes in Italian (I have no idea what he said). Then an offical representative for each country spoke announcing the special visitors in the audience that country. The Pope then spoke for about 4 minutes after each representative. He said the same thing in 5 different languages. Italian, French, English, Spanish and Russian. At the end he did a blessing in Italian. The blessing was sung and although it was printed on the back of our tickets it was hard to follow along because none of us know Italian. This blessing was where the Pope blessed us, anything we brought, our families and those near and dear to us. Mike had something special for his sister, his grandmothers cross and something from his mother. Jake had a special box from Bri's mom and a rosary of Bri's. It was very moving. But honestly, it was long. It was hotter than heck and we were in the direct sun. Although we had tickets for seats, we did not sit in seats because we got there with no time to spare. We arrived at the Vatican at 10 am and it took us 30 minutes to go through security (which was a joke because people beeped and they just waved you through). The Pope came out promptly at 10:30 am despite thousands of people still outside. It finished a little after 11:30 am. We all sunscreened up beforehand, but as the day went on and we reapplied sunscreen, it still didn't matter.
Temperatures were crazy hot today, over 100 and we were parched, sunburnt and tired by this evening.
After the Papal Audience we took the underground to the Coloseum and got a nice bite to eat of pizza, paninis and beer. Then we met Nicki from Through Eternity Tours for a Coloseum, Palantine Hill and Roman Forum Tour including the newly opened Augustus Ceasar private house. It started at 1:30 and ended at 7 pm. We had a stop for gelato and water midway. This was phenomenal. We got the history of Rome, Emperors, you name it we learned about it. But it was done in such a wonderful way that the time flew by and Nicki was full of antecdotes and facts. The only way the day could have been better was if it was 20 degrees cooler. We probably walked 10 miles today went through an 8 oz tube of sunscreen, 6 bandaids and 3 gallons of liquids. Yet we only peed twice all day! We must have refilled our waterbottles a dozen times in the fountains throughout the area. Fresh, cold water...that was FREE!
After our tour ended we took a bus toward the Pantheon and ate dinner at Macharroni...it was delicous..I had a glass of proseco with my fresh buffalo mozzarella and was in heaven.
I will be able to post pictures tomorrow because we found a small internet cafe by the apartment that will let me bring in my laptop. So, barring any difficulties I should have some wonderful pictures for you all to see. One in particular that I think you will all enjoy is from the Coloseum, there was a gentlemen dressed us in gladiator attire. He had all of us pose in fun ways...We had a great time.
Tomorrow we are off to Orvieto by train!
Ciao!
Showing posts with label vacation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vacation. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
blisters, trams, trains and beer
The scavi tour under St. Peters Basilica was truly an experience of a lifetime. It was the 3rd century pagan burial ground and when Constantine took over he took all the roofs off and took the rubble and filled it in. He then built the first basilica over the burial ground. We saw were St. Peters grave was, where his bones were found and walked on the same ground Romans did almost 1800 years ago. In 1939 this area was discovered and it was excavated secretly during the war. The history and details are fascinating. Anyway, after 90 minutes of secret doorways, chambers, strange smells and we came to where St. Peters bones lay. It gave me goose bumps, truly a moving experience, a pilgrimage if you will.
After the tour, we made our wandered down Via Nazionale. Of all things, Jim forgot a bathing suit! Can you believe it? We are going on cruise and he didnt bring a suit! Before Jim found one, Jake and Mike had a great time finding some James Bond style suits (like the blue one Daniel Craig wore in Casino Royal). They eached purchased one! I got some fun pictures of them modeling them when they tried them on. They will look so fashionable and European on our cruise.
We were very hot and thirsty by then so we stopped for a pizza and beer. Jim, Mike and I ordered a large beer... and large is an understatement. We each got these HUGE, and I mean HUGE pitchers of beer. We then walked to the Sacred Area (where Julius Caesar was murdered).
We were told that the travestere area was a fun place on the other side of the Tiber river with small streets, fun restaurants and lively. Finding the tram to get there was a hoot. We walked in circles and all over, but finally found it. Then we wandered around the St. Maria area of Travesterre and used a map to find a small restaurant that Rick Steves (tour guide extraordinare) recommended. It was like a treasure hunt on these tiny streets. Kristin and Mike were the map navigators. These streets were only about 10 feet wide, scooters and motor cycles are very popular here.
After a great dinner of home made pasta, veal and potatoes, a meat roll (dont recall what it was called) and wine we headed back to the apartment. Another bus, another train and a taxi we made it back.
Here is a brief list of things we have found to be true:
1. There are a lot of beautiful people in Italy
2. Italians smell (could be the horrible heat but sharing a bus or train with thousands of people makes a potent experience)
3. Even though tennis shoes are touristy, they are an absolute necessity when walking great distances. I have blisters on the balls of my feet...ouch!
4. The wine and beer is good and welcome in this heat!
5. Italians are very nice and helpful to wayward, lost Americans
6. The city is filled with OLD things...and so much history..
We are having a blast, very tired already, but enjoying the culture, the history, the people of Rome!
Today we are off to the papal audience, then have a tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palantine Hill.
Ciao!
After the tour, we made our wandered down Via Nazionale. Of all things, Jim forgot a bathing suit! Can you believe it? We are going on cruise and he didnt bring a suit! Before Jim found one, Jake and Mike had a great time finding some James Bond style suits (like the blue one Daniel Craig wore in Casino Royal). They eached purchased one! I got some fun pictures of them modeling them when they tried them on. They will look so fashionable and European on our cruise.
We were very hot and thirsty by then so we stopped for a pizza and beer. Jim, Mike and I ordered a large beer... and large is an understatement. We each got these HUGE, and I mean HUGE pitchers of beer. We then walked to the Sacred Area (where Julius Caesar was murdered).
We were told that the travestere area was a fun place on the other side of the Tiber river with small streets, fun restaurants and lively. Finding the tram to get there was a hoot. We walked in circles and all over, but finally found it. Then we wandered around the St. Maria area of Travesterre and used a map to find a small restaurant that Rick Steves (tour guide extraordinare) recommended. It was like a treasure hunt on these tiny streets. Kristin and Mike were the map navigators. These streets were only about 10 feet wide, scooters and motor cycles are very popular here.
After a great dinner of home made pasta, veal and potatoes, a meat roll (dont recall what it was called) and wine we headed back to the apartment. Another bus, another train and a taxi we made it back.
Here is a brief list of things we have found to be true:
1. There are a lot of beautiful people in Italy
2. Italians smell (could be the horrible heat but sharing a bus or train with thousands of people makes a potent experience)
3. Even though tennis shoes are touristy, they are an absolute necessity when walking great distances. I have blisters on the balls of my feet...ouch!
4. The wine and beer is good and welcome in this heat!
5. Italians are very nice and helpful to wayward, lost Americans
6. The city is filled with OLD things...and so much history..
We are having a blast, very tired already, but enjoying the culture, the history, the people of Rome!
Today we are off to the papal audience, then have a tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palantine Hill.
Ciao!
Saturday, June 21, 2008
we're ready to go
We are up and ready to head out. We made it to Seattle safely last night and thankfully we left in the day (and not in the evening as originally planned) because we had to stop in Othello at Les Schwab and get the tires checked. The van was fully loaded with luggage (10 pieces), 6 people and it was 96 degrees out at 2:30 pm in Washtucna. We got the "high tire pressure light" and naturally it was a bit concerning but we figured with the heat and heavy load it was to be expected. Upon stopping at Les Schwab it was found that the tire PSI was 50+ in each tire. It is normally 35....It's a good thing we didn't blow a tire. The tire pressure guage was in the truck at home so didn't realize how bad it was. Anyway, the rest of the ride was better once we go tires relieved of some extra air.
We got to Betsy's around 6:45 and then we all headed to Armondo's in Renton for a lovely Italian dinner and some Chianti wine. The evening was spent visiting and relaxing and talking about the trip to come. Mike and Kristin worked on Mike's bioengineering application, which is due very soon. All in all it was a great day.
We are all very tired, but the excitement of what's to come has got our adrenaline pumping! :)
We got to Betsy's around 6:45 and then we all headed to Armondo's in Renton for a lovely Italian dinner and some Chianti wine. The evening was spent visiting and relaxing and talking about the trip to come. Mike and Kristin worked on Mike's bioengineering application, which is due very soon. All in all it was a great day.
We are all very tired, but the excitement of what's to come has got our adrenaline pumping! :)
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
pictures and itinerary
Carnival Freedom
Map of where we are going!
Our trip itinerary:
- Friday June 20 - Depart for Betsy's
- Saturday June 21 - Fly to Rome
- Sunday June 22 - Friday June 27 - Rome
- Things we will be doing in Rome: Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, Scavi Tour, Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine HIll, Orvietto, Osti Antica and Tivoli!
- Friday June 27 - Cruise leaves port of Civitavecchia (Rome)
- Saturday June 28 - Naples, Italy: tour of Amalfi Coast, Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi, Ravello and private guided tour of Pompeii with Francesco Marrapese
- Sunday June 29 - Felaxing day at Sea
- Monday June 30 - Dubrovnik, Croatia: tour Old Town, walk the city walls, Lokrum Island, Buza bar
- Tuesday July 1 - Wednesday July 2, Venice, Italy: evening Gondola ride, St. Marks Square, Doge's Palace, exploring and shopping
- Thursday July 3 - Relaxing Day at Sea
- Friday July 4 -Messina, Sicily, Italy: rental car to explore Taormina, countryside, funicular to beach and Mt. Etna
- Saturday July 5 - Relaxing Day at Sea
- Sunday July 6 - Barcelona, Spain: private city our with Jose Soler; La Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, Montjuic, works by Gaudi, tapas and beach time
- Monday July 7 - Cannes, France: private 9 hour tour; Eze Village, Monaco, Prince Palace Square, changing of the guards, the Cathedral, Monte-Carlo, St. Paul de Vence, Nice and topless beaches in Cannes
- Tuesday July 8 - Livorno, Italy: private 9 hour tour with photo stop at Pisa, 1/2 day in Florence, reservation at the Academy of Fine arts to see the David, Tuscan Countryside with stops at Leonardo Da Vinci Winery and San Gimignano
- Wednesday July 9 - cruise ends in Rome, fly to Seattle
- Thursday July 10 - return to Pullman
packing, loose ends, and lists
We had a "family + Mike" trip meeting last night to finalize plans, tie up loose ends and go over a detailed itinerary. Jake and Mike were being so ridiculously silly that I'm not sure how much information they retained. Thankfully I printed out a hard copy of the itinerary and a list of "things to know and things to bring".
While Kristin and Mike go shopping for last minute clothes and suitcases today, I will be knee deep in last minute stuff to make the trip happen. I need to alter 3 of my shirts as they are made for someone with watermelon sized breasts of which I do not have! Jake and Jim both have buttons that need to sewn on shorts, velcro added to pockets (long story...hehe)....I still need to get to Moscow myself and add on the international cell plan to our service and get instructions for Jake and Sarah how to use their iphones for wi-fi only and turn off the texting. With the 4000 texts per month Sarah does that would be a hell of a bill when we return. I think turning OFF texting while gone is the best bet!
Then it will be time to prepare instructions for Toni on preparation of payroll at the end of the month. I've never been gone during payroll before so this will be a first. I know she can handle it though. :)
I have been carrying around my small spiral notebook and I am making progress crossing things off the list, however I keep thinking of things to do and my list is growing!!!!!
Friday will be here before we know it and hopefully, I'll be packed! :)
While Kristin and Mike go shopping for last minute clothes and suitcases today, I will be knee deep in last minute stuff to make the trip happen. I need to alter 3 of my shirts as they are made for someone with watermelon sized breasts of which I do not have! Jake and Jim both have buttons that need to sewn on shorts, velcro added to pockets (long story...hehe)....I still need to get to Moscow myself and add on the international cell plan to our service and get instructions for Jake and Sarah how to use their iphones for wi-fi only and turn off the texting. With the 4000 texts per month Sarah does that would be a hell of a bill when we return. I think turning OFF texting while gone is the best bet!
Then it will be time to prepare instructions for Toni on preparation of payroll at the end of the month. I've never been gone during payroll before so this will be a first. I know she can handle it though. :)
I have been carrying around my small spiral notebook and I am making progress crossing things off the list, however I keep thinking of things to do and my list is growing!!!!!
Friday will be here before we know it and hopefully, I'll be packed! :)
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